Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Leone

Thomas G. Leone has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR EXTRACTING WATER FROM AN ELECTRIC AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180079280
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a ratio of friction to regenerative brake effort and running an electric air conditioning compressor to collect condensed water for water injection into an engine. In one example, a method may include adjusting the air conditioning compressor load of the electric AC system and the ratio of friction to regenerative brake effort based on a water level in a water storage tank of the water injection system. Further, the method may include directing energy from regenerative braking to a battery and/or to the AC compressor in response to the battery state of charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180066609
    Abstract: Methods are provided for reliably self-testing a water injection system that injects water into the engine responsive to engine operating conditions such as knock, the water injection system refilled manually or via the collection of water on-board the vehicle. Responsive to a water injection error, learned based on a change in a defined set of engine parameters while ramping water injection during selected conditions, the presence of clogging in a water line may be determined. Based on a degree of clogging, subsequent water injection may be appropriately adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Thomas G. Leone, James Eric Anderson
  • WATER-INJECTION ANTI-FREEZING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180051658
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transferring heat from a coolant to a water injection system reservoir coupled to an engine of a vehicle. The water injection system reservoir may include a first reservoir fluidically coupled to a second reservoir, where the first reservoir is vertically higher than the second reservoir. The coolant may absorb waste heat from the engine, or from a hybrid electric vehicle power electronics system, and transfer heat to the water reservoir to prevent water from freezing even when ambient temperature is at or below the freezing temperature of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Thomas G. Leone
  • AUTONOMOUS-VEHICLE CLIMATE-CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180022182
    Abstract: Controlling a vehicle includes determining that an occupancy status of the vehicle is unoccupied, estimating a remaining unoccupied time, and controlling a climate-control system according to climate-control parameters based on at least the occupancy status and the remaining unoccupied time. A climate-control parameter is a value or set of values for an attribute or attributes of vehicle climate control, such as a power status for the climate-control system as a whole, a target temperature for a passenger cabin, power statuses corresponding to individual climate zones of the passenger cabin, and target temperatures for the individual climate zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Thomas G. Leone, Christopher Alan Lear, Chris James Hocking
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180022352
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for integrating engine water injection technology with a CVT transmission. Responsive to a driver demand, a controller may determine whether to maintain a current water injection state or transition to an alternate water injection state based on each of the efficiency of the transition, water availability, and any engine limitations that may be incurred at the engine speed-load following the transition. To improve the net fuel economy benefit while addressing the engine limitation, the water injection state transition may be combined with a CVT adjusted engine speed-load regime, while maintaining engine power output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180022339
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of engine water injection in a hybrid vehicle system. During engine operation, in response to a change in driver demand, the controller may opt to switch between water injection states while using stored power assist. The selection may be based on the combination of water injection and stored power offset that provides the highest engine efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller
  • Method and system for engine control
    Patent number: 9873435
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for integrating a bi-fuel engine with a CVT transmission. Responsive to a driver demand, a controller may determine whether to maintain usage of a current fuel or transition to an alternate fuel based on the cost efficiency of the transition and further based on any engine limitations that may be incurred at the engine speed-load following the transition. To improve the net fuel economy benefit while addressing the engine limitation, a fuel transition may be combined with a CVT adjusted engine speed-load regime, while maintaining engine power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Thomas G. Leone, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Hybrid vehicle and method of conditioning a vehicle battery
    Patent number: 9873350
    Abstract: A includes a battery, an electric machine, an electrically powered cooling system, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to charge the battery with current generated from regenerative braking. The electrically powered cooling system is configured to cool the battery. The controller is programmed to, in response to a temperature of the battery being greater than a threshold, direct at least a portion of the current generated from regenerative braking to the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller
  • Engine control for catalyst regeneration
    Patent number: 9869242
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water during an engine cylinder deactivation event so as to reduce an exhaust catalyst regeneration requirement following the cylinder deactivation. In one example, water is injected at one or more deactivated engine cylinders to reduce oxidation of the exhaust catalyst. Then, during engine cylinder reactivation, a degree of richness of a combustion air-to-fuel ratio may be reduced to decrease fuel penalty to the engine while reducing NOx emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Mark Allen Dearth
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TORQUE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20180001885
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing torque pulsations during hybrid engine shutdown and restarts. A valve actuating mechanism may be actuated to operate an engine with a selected valve lift profile during engine restart and shutdown events that is distinct from the valve lift profile applied during cylinder combustion. The selected valve lift profile reduces cylinder pressure during engine shutdown and restarts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller
  • System and methods for improving fuel economy
    Patent number: 9856829
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine operation in a hybrid vehicle, where the vehicle engine comprises one or more cylinders dedicated to recirculating exhaust to the intake manifold. In one example, if an engine load decreases below a level where dedicated exhaust gas recirculation may lead to combustion stability issues, engine load may be increased above the demanded load and the excess power used to charge a system battery, or if the battery state of charge is above a threshold, the engine may be shut down and the vehicle propelled via battery power. In this way, fuel economy and combustion stability issues may be improved, NOx emissions reduced, and costs for implementation of dedicated exhaust gas recirculation decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SURGE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170349164
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving surge control. When surge conditions are anticipated, motor torque usage is increased to discharge a battery to a lower state of charge. When surge conditions actually occur, engine torque output is limited to a higher level than the engine output required to meet the reduced torque demand, while the excess wheel torque is offset by charging the battery to a higher state of charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Michael Howard Shelby, Thomas G. Leone
  • System and method for selective cylinder deactivation
    Patent number: 9835101
    Abstract: Embodiments for operating an engine with skip fire are provided. In one example, a method comprises during a skip fire mode or during a skip fire mode transition, port injecting a first fuel quantity to a cylinder of an engine, the first fuel quantity based on a first, predicted air charge amount for the cylinder and lean of a desired air-fuel ratio, and direct injecting a second fuel quantity to the cylinder, the second fuel quantity based on the first fuel quantity and a second, calculated air charge amount for the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Brad Alan Boyer, Mrdjan J. Jankovic
  • Method and system for improving engine starting
    Patent number: 9835103
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted differently during automatic and operator initiated engine starts. The system and method may improve engine torque control during an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Vehicle heating system and method
    Patent number: 9822752
    Abstract: Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a heat pump supplies thermal energy to an engine to reduce engine emissions during engine starting. Further, heating the engine via the heat pump may also reduce engine friction at colder ambient temperatures where oil viscosity may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Franco Ragazzi, Thomas G. Leone
  • CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20170327104
    Abstract: A hybrid-electric vehicle includes a power system, a controller, a driver seat, a passenger seat, a back seat, and sensors. The controller is in communication with the sensors and the power system. The seats are coupled, directly or indirectly, to the power system. The sensors are configured to detect occupancy of the driver, passenger, and back seats. The controller is programmed to receive occupancy data from the sensors, determine an occupancy status based on the occupancy data, set an operating parameter for the power system based on the occupancy status, and control the power system in accordance with the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Thomas G. Leone, Christopher Alan Lear, Chris James Hocking
  • POWERTRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170328292
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, a torque converter coupled to the transmission, a controller in communication with the transmission and the torque converter; a driver seat, a passenger seat, and a back seat coupled to the transmission, and sensors configured to detect occupancy of the seats. The sensors are in communication with the controller. The controller is programmed to receive data from the sensors, determine an occupancy status based on the occupancy data, set an engine operating parameter of one of the transmission and the torque converter based on the occupancy status, and control one of the transmission and the torque converter to operate according to the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Chris James Hocking
  • CYLINDER DEACTIVATION CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170328287
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission; a torque converter coupled to the transmission; a controller in communication with the transmission and the torque converter; a driver seat, a passenger seat, and a back seat coupled to the transmission; and sensors configured to detect user occupancy of the seats. The sensors are in communication with the controller. The controller is programmed to receive data from the sensors, determine an occupancy status based on the occupancy data, set an engine operating parameter of one of the transmission and the torque converter based on the occupancy status, and control one or both of the transmission and the torque converter to operate according to the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Chris James Hocking
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170321616
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of a multi-fuel engine in a hybrid vehicle system. During engine operation, in response to a change in driver demand, the controller may opt to switch fuels or maintain a current fuel while using stored power assist. The selection may be based on the combination of fuel and stored power offset that provides the highest engine efficiency at the lowest fuel cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Thomas G. Leone, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROL OF TURBINE-GENERATOR IN A SPLIT EXHAUST ENGINE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170321614
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to control exhaust energy delivered to a turbine of a turbine-generator coupled to a split exhaust engine system in order to limit turbine over-speed conditions and/or reduce generator vibration or reduce component over-heating conditions. In one example, a method may comprise in response to turbine speed greater than a threshold speed, selectively deactivating a first exhaust valve of one or more cylinders of a first and second cylinder group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey